Being Thankful ... 2 Year Breast Cancer Survivor 2018 #23

It's hard to believe that 2 years have passed. I feel great! My appearance? I look pretty much like I did before I had started my Breast Cancer Journey. What am I most thankful for?  I had my dear Hubby with me every step of the way.

Mammograms will now be every six months for the next 3 years. My follow-ups with my oncologist, breast surgeon, and radiologist are now once a year. I have come a very long way. I still feel stressed when these appointments are coming up ... and probably will feel that way for the rest of my life. Nonetheless, I persevere and remain ... thankful. 

I still have episodes of "Brain Fog" where I'm struggling for thoughts, words, or memories. Sometimes, I will forget what I am about to say in mid-sentence. It's a common problem for BC Survivors.  It's frustrating ... but I have learned to cope with it as best I can, and I am  ... thankful.

 When you are going through Chemo it's not unusual to have problems with taste and sense of smell. I absolutely couldn't stand fried eggs when going through treatment. To this day, I still detest them. It could have been worse. I am so thankful it wasn't chocolate!

Chemo can be very hard on finger and toenails. Months after Chemo ended, some of my nails had begun to lift and separate from their nail beds. My fingernails fared pretty well, but I had lost both my nails on my big toes. They did grow back, but even now, they still show slight signs of discoloration along the top edges. I also developed ingrown toenails on both my big toes. Pedicures and manicures do help, but I prefer no polish on my nails unless it's for a special occasion. If I choose to have polish on my nails, I don't leave it on for more than a week. Once I remove it, I put a dab of olive oil on my nails each night and every morning. I believe it makes  them look healthier! And for that, I am thankful.

With Chemo, I had lost all my hair. After my 4 sessions were finished, my hair slowly started to grow back. It's now a bit thinner than it used to be, but every time I pick up my hairbrush and look into the mirror, I remember when I had no hair.  And I am thankful.

I won't lie. Sometimes, there are days when I start feeling sorry for myself and dwell on the negatives. Why did this happen to me? What if my cancer comes back? How will I cope?

 I have to remind myself ... woman, you are strong! You can handle anything that comes your way. You are a SURVIVOR. Just keep on doing what you're doing.  You and God got this! Be thankful!

*If you would like to read about my journey from the beginning to the present, check out my previous blogs that are in numerical order from #1 - 23.

After All The Breast Cancer Treatments ... You just keep Pushing On! #22

It's been over 5 months since my last Radiation treatment.  My hair has grown back. Had lost a little weight. I did lose 6 pounds and kept it off. For me, it was a good thing. My skin looks good. My fingernails ... still so, so.  All in all though ... I feel great.

And I'm back doing what I love best! Gardening!  In a way, I can compare myself to my garden.  For the most part, plants will continue to grow... if you take care of them.  

So, I have been busy taking care of me!  I exercise, I am eating better. Lots of fruits, veggies, and water.  I rest when I need to and I sometimes push myself, but not too hard. And I am thriving. 


I've had my 3 and 6 month check-ups with all my doctors... everything OK.  And this month, August 10,  2017, it will be one year since I was first diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Negative Breast Cancer.  September 12th I will have my one year follow-up mammogram and ultra-sound. On the 19th, I follow up with my oncologist for the test results. 

And you know what?  I have my husband, family, and friends to love and support me. So, I will continue ... PUSHING ON.  Living and Loving my life ....

Hair's Starting To Grow Back Gangbusters Since My Last Chemo Treatment December 8, 2016 ( 21 )

         This is what my hair looked like before Infusion Chemotherapy began. A major side effect of Infusion Chemotherapy is hair loss. So, let's begin at the beginning. Let's start with BEFORE ...

This is how I normally wore my hair. This photo taken day after my breast lumpectomy September 8, 2016.

Going ... sort of. Two days before my first Chemo on October 6, 2016. Hubby had buzzed it short for me. I wanted to be proactive and make it easier on myself when my hair would begin falling out.

October 20, 2016 and 2 weeks after my first Chemo treatment ... Definitely Going ...

 

  Bare on the sides and back. Just a little fuzz on the top, but pretty much all gone by December 25, 2016.

January 11, 2017 ... No longer fuzz. Got some real hairs going again now!

March 2, 2017 and my hair is really

growing in! 

YIPEE!

The Fight Continues ... Started Radiation Therapy ( 20 )

Started Radiation Therapy on January 10, 2017.  Now I have a glow about me. Just thought I'd throw in a little joke ....

Anyway, had my 9th treatment today.  Not me in the photo, but it shows a similar type of machine used in my treatments. My gig is 5 days a week for a total of 33 days. It's early in the game, so no side effects yet. Reddened skin, dry skin, blisters, and oozing are some of the potential side effects, and they are not fun. I have been advised that such side effects could start to surface usually during the last 2 weeks of treatment. Taking care of your skin is the key to avoiding lots of problems.  Moisturizing your skin as well as keeping skin folds dry are the main goals.

The photo above has been enhanced to mimic very reddened skin. NOT the desired side effect anyone would want, but the one that happens most often. Ah, again that is not me in the pic.  

Bottom line ... Radiation therapy kills cancer cells, but it burns your skin.  I have been using Calendula cream (per my radiation oncologist/and radiation tech's advice) since my first treatment. I apply it twice a day ... in the a.m. after my treatment and at night before I go to bed. Very pleasant scent and not greasy. Will also be applying it for at least 2 weeks after my treatments end. Blistering and oozing may occur as well (especially for us girls with larger boobs). If such effects should happen, I will handle them at that time in accordance with my oncologist's advice. 

I've also been researching the use of baby powders made with pure cornstarch. I've read that lightly dusting the treated areas with the powder, after the Calendula cream has dried, does wonders to keep the area dry and provides extra protection.

Read a lot of good things about pure Aloe Vera, too. Sap applied from a piece of the leaf taken right from the plant, or the use of a topical gel form, is often advised.

Bras ... soft, all cotton, and breathable are a must. No underwire bras, very constricting bras, or any that overly chafe or bind. It's all about extra comfort. I've also gone bra-less at times, too. Personally though, I prefer some support even if it's minimal. Regarding blouses, wearing loose, cotton t-shirts or soft cotton tops are more comfy than anything too tight.

Last, but not least. It could actually be the worst side effect. Fatigue. I felt so beat up when I was going through CHEMO. Sometimes I would be wiped for days at a time. When my oncologist recently told me some people experience fatigue that is worse than the exhaustion from chemo, I was shocked. I guess with cancer, you have to prepare yourself for anything.

Simply ... everything is up to you. You have to do whatever it takes to win the fight!

Chemotherapy's Weirder Side Effects ( 19 )

Chemo comes with its share of common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, mouth sores, fatigue, etc.  Yet, there are also side effects you would never have thought of.

Eye tearing. Read it's a side effect from Taxotere. It's been almost 3 weeks since my last and final chemo treatment and the waterworks are driving me crazy.  In addition, I wake up each morning with a gritty goop in the inside corners of my eyes. A washcloth dipped in warm water cleans things up very well. I started using Visine multi symptom and it seems to help quite a bit.

            To keep my eyes company, my nose runs constantly. Also a side effect from Taxotere.

The cough. It started with my 3rd chemo treatment and is still around.  It's a dry, non-productive annoyance.  Chest and lungs are clear, but the tickle has stayed.

                                                    Fingernails and

toenails are funky looking.  Thin bands on the surface of my fingernails. My toenails ... my big toes just look gross! None lifting or falling off thankfully. You guessed it. Taxotere.

Vision changes.  Sometimes things get blurry.  I wear glasses, so I'm always adjusting them.

My sense of smell has fully come back ... but taste? Well, some things still taste yucky.  I'm either adding sugar or salt.  I was told taste takes quite awhile to return to normal.  

I didn't lose a lot of weight, nor did I gain.  I pretty much stayed the same. I have to say though, sometimes my legs feel like they are made of ... lead. 

Though not a weird side effect, my eyebrows and eyelashes have thinned considerably. A little mascara easily thickens the eyelashes. The weird part though ... concerns my eyebrows.  I've been been filling them in and they look better now then before!

Chemo ... farts ... are deadly.  That's all I'm gonna say.

Gotta say, 17 days since my final chemo and I feel really good!

Had My 4th And Last Chemo Treatment Today ( 18 )

I had my 4th and last Chemo treatment today. Four treatments might not seem like many, but Chemo is extremely tough on the body, mind, and spirit. I can't imagine how some people can endure a year's worth of Chemo. I am so glad it's over. 

At the Cancer Center where I received my treatments, there is a brass bell in the main hallway with a small plaque behind it. Every patient is encouraged to ring the bell 3 times when their Chemo treatments are over signaling the end of that part of their journey. Check out the photo below.

I was never so happy to ring a bell in my entire life! My Chemo has ended, but my journey is not yet over.  In January I will begin 6 weeks of radiation therapy for 5 days a week.  From what I've been told, radiation therapy is a piece of cake by comparison to Chemo. And I am absolutely ready to continue down the road ....

I hope you will join me as I continue the next part of my journey.

My 3rd Chemo And The Tough Road After ( 17 )

I had my 3rd Chemo infusion on November 17th. Five days later I was admitted to the hospital because my white blood cell count had dropped dramatically. Neutropenia. I also had a low grade fever and a dry cough. The cough was the oddest thing. Very dry, almost like I had particles of dust coating my throat. BUT my lungs and chest were absolutely clear. No mucus. I didn't cough all the time. It was sporadic. Annoying as hell. Needless to say, I felt wiped out. I was pumped full of antibiotics, fluids, and shots to make sure no blood clots formed in my legs. I did feel much better in a very short time.

I couldn't wait to go home. If you have spent time in a hospital, you know why. You can't sleep. You are woken up at all hours for a pill, a shot, checking vitals, and doctor visits. I was released 2 1/2 days later. I had more antibiotics to take for 10 days and 2 different kinds of cough medicine. I really only needed cough medicine occasionally at night. The cough faded away a few days after I'd been home. I have my own theories about the ... cough. I call it "Chemo cough". After I'd been home for awhile, I did some online research. Not surprisingly, I am not the only one who had a very similar experience. Doctors don't want to hear or talk about "Chemo cough".  Oh, well. 

My 4th and final Chemo treatment is Thursday December 8.  Yay! I have been staying home more and avoiding crowds. If I do go out, I wear a surgical mask EVERYWHERE and I don't touch anything if I go into a store. Hubby goes with me all the time and does the touching. I have hand sanitizer bottles all over the house, in my purse, and in the car. I wash my hands often as well. I also wear my mask in the house if I'm petting our cat.

 The only bump in the road at the moment is my stepson has a bad cold. He WEARS a mask when he's around me. He's an adult and goes to work everyday, so we are not together all day. When he goes off to work, I use Clorox wipes and clean the TV remotes, doorknobs, refrigerator door handles, light switches, and the computer mouse and keyboard. Then I spray some Lysol into the air near the living room couch and other places in the house.

 When my stepson first came down with his cold I was almost tempted to spray him with Lysol ...but his cold got better rather quickly. Good thing for him. Hee Hee Hee ....

I'll let you know how things go after my last Chemo treatment in a week or so ....